Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan was taken to hospital after being charged in corruption schemes involving the diversion of state property and receiving bribes worth billions of drams, reports infohub.kz.
Earlier, it was reported that Kocharyan had arrived at the Anti-Corruption Committee of the republic, where his detention was confirmed by his representatives. Now, official details of the case have emerged.
According to News.am, the Anti-Corruption Committee confirmed Kocharyan's detention and disclosed the nature of the charges. The committee stated that the former president, acting in collusion with close associates and abusing his official position, fraudulently transferred a number of valuable real estate properties out of state ownership, acquiring them at prices significantly below market value.
To conceal the true ownership, the properties were registered to interconnected companies, and later these assets were used through development, sale, and transfer of shares, including by way of donation.
In another episode, land plots belonging to the Ministry of Defense and intended for the construction of a research and production station were sold to a company close to the former president at a price four times below market value.
Furthermore, the investigation claims that in exchange for the sale of land plots at reduced prices and ensuring the unhindered establishment of the Japanese company Toyota's representation in Armenia, on May 9, 2006, Kocharyan was given a 30% stake in Toyota Yerevan as a bribe. This stake was registered in the name of the former president's son under fictitious sales contracts.
In the criminal case, six people have been detained, including Kocharyan himself, his son, and others involved in the criminal schemes.
The investigation is also examining money transfers to the former president's son's name from 2001 to 2019 totaling about 144 billion drams, $309 million, €77 million, and 18 million Russian rubles, as well as the acquisition of more than thirty real estate properties in Armenia and abroad. To prevent the alienation of property, it has been seized.
Tax authorities have sealed the Yerevan office of Toyota. Anti-Corruption Committee officers are also conducting investigative actions at the Orange Fitness club and the Play City entertainment center, where the Kocharyan family has stakes.
According to RBC, Armenian outlet 24news.am reported that after his detention, Kocharyan was taken to hospital by ambulance accompanied by National Security Service officers. No further information about his condition is available.